A little smackeral.

Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were...

Friday, June 15, 2007

The long flight to Manila.

Avner, Kate, and Tintin somewhere over the Pacific....We left on May 17th for a two week trip to the Philippines.Avner's market manager Anthony connected him with Tintin'ssister in the Philippines who was getting married.

Kate and Tintin still excited after 14 hours of travel time.

Manila!

We meet cousin Fran and brother Chris on our six hour layover inManila that became a whirlwind tour. In just four hours we managedto taste the lemonade of the Philippines, calamansi juice, dinuguan,or blood and intestine soup, ox tongue, and cheese ice cream.You may not believe me after reading the above, but thefood in the Philippines is amazing. My favorite things weregarlic rice, blue marlin and swordfish, lechon, or spit roastedwhole pig, spicy garlic shrimp, and warm coconut pie.

Avner in the Intramuros, the Old City.

Pretty Spanish architecture.

One more flight and then finally we reach ourdestination of Iloilo on Panay Island.

Dumaguete and Apo Island.

You will be happy to note that Negros Island is a safe place to travel.

All suited up.

Now that I see this detailed image of a balut,(boiled fertilized duck egg. Philippinos prefer them 17 days old.)I am very grateful to have had a fourteen hour migrainethat evening that prevented me from going intotown with the others.

Avner was able to get up the next morning,even after eating a balut,and take a jeepney to the Wednesdaymorning market in a neighboring town.

This is called a tricycle. The ones that have aman-powered bike instead of a motorbike are called tricicots.They are both used to carry anything from an entirefamily of twelve to a new mattress. Or a big pig.

Avner saw this little beauty splashing aroundin her small pool without a care in the world.

Wedding.

Avner and I are having a third wedding.It will be in the Philippines.I will wear this dress.

As you can see, Philippine weddings are "minimalist".

Beautiful ladies ready to go.Brianna, Rachel, and Taylor all done up.

Even I had my hair and make-up done.

Maid of honor Tintin with Papa Sy and Mama Josie behind her.

Rosana the gorgeous bride.

Just a few of the bridesmaids.

The bride and groom before the Neon Jesus.

I think they were paying the hymn "...we celebrate, we believe..."Universal Catholic hymns.

These are only HALF of the Sponsors. They willact as godparents to the married couple andpresent them with gifts throughout the mass.

This is Tito Pito.He rocks and looks a bit like Elvis.

Um, why didn't I have this photographer for my wedding?!?!

Here is the bridal party.Note what all of the men are wearing.It is a traditional rice paper shirt called a baron.Most of the men at the wedding wear it,including the groom and the photographer.Don't just sneak up on anyone at thereception and give him a smooch,it might be the groom.

These are all of the Sponsors.

These are the smaller members of the bridal party.The one in the front is the bible bearer.He did very well,even though he said the bible was heavy.